The Dover Council Notice of Forthcoming Key Decisions scheduled for discussion a range of topics, including the purchase of properties for affordable housing, the regeneration of Dover town centre, and the adoption of a cultural strategy. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the Dover Archaeological Supplementary Planning Document, and the Infrastructure Funding Statement.

Here's a breakdown of the key items that were listed on the agenda:

Affordable Housing

Several items for discussion related to the provision of affordable housing in the district.

The council was scheduled to consider a report regarding the ongoing approval of projects to purchase and develop properties for use as affordable housing. According to the report pack, a cabinet decision on 7 September 2020, had already delegated decisions on this matter to the Director of Finance, Housing and Assets, or to the cabinet.

The report pack also indicated that the council was to discuss the potential purchase of new-build properties for use as affordable housing at several locations:

• Stanhope Road, Dover
• Barwick Road, Dover. The report pack noted that the intention was to purchase 120 new homes, with 96 units for social rent and 24 for shared ownership.
• Greenways, Colliers Way, Betteshanger, where the council was scheduled to discuss the purchase of 32 new build properties, with 25 units for rent and 7 for shared ownership.
• Archers Court Road, Whitfield
• Sholden Meadows, Sandwich Road, Sholden. The council was scheduled to discuss the purchase of 24 new build properties, with 13 houses for affordable rent and 11 for shared ownership, as part of the developer's section 106 obligations¹.

The report pack also noted that a decision was due on a revised budget and building contract, and the acceptance of Homes England² funding, for 24 new homes for affordable housing at Poulton Close, Dover.

Dover Town Centre Regeneration

The report pack included an item regarding the Dover Town Centre Regeneration project. According to the report pack, this related to project(s) enabling, partnership, feasibility and delivery-related approvals . The report pack stated that the council has a strategic, priority, ambition for the regeneration of Dover Town Centre , and that the item supported decisions, progress and delivery of related projects to address strategic need and market failure within Dover Town Centre. The projects were primarily related to council-owned sites within and surrounding Dover Town Centre, but excluded the Dover Beacon Project on Bench Street.

Also related to the Dover Beacon Project, the council was scheduled to discuss and approve draft heads of terms³ in relation to leases and agreements for the lease on The Bench building. The report pack stated that East Kent College, East Kent Spatial Development Company, and Screen South have been identified as prospective tenants for the further education digital campus centre, the business centre and the creative centre respectively.

Great Mongeham Conservation Area Appraisal

The council was scheduled to consider the results of a public consultation on the draft Great Mongeham, Church Area and Mongeham Road Conservation Areas Character Appraisal and Management Plan, including proposed extensions to the conservation area boundaries.

The report pack noted that the council has a duty under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 to review its conservation areas, and that the Dover District Heritage Strategy recognised that most of the district's conservation areas do not have an approved character appraisal. The Appraisal and Management Plan were prepared by a consultant, part funded by the Great Mongeham Society, with input from officers and members of the group.

Cultural Strategy

The council was scheduled to discuss the approval and adoption of a draft Cultural Strategy, intended to replace the Dover Cultural Framework developed in 2009.

Review of Aylesham 'Demand Responsive Transport' Bus Service

The council was scheduled to discuss a review of the Aylesham 'demand responsive transport' bus service. The report pack stated that the council is currently in contract with Stagecoach to deliver a bus service between Aylesham and the surrounding area, funded by section 106 developer contributions from the Aylesham Village Expansion development. The item reviews the current operation and recommends changes to the provision of the service.

Statement of Community Involvement 2025

The council was scheduled to discuss the consultation and adoption of the Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) 2025. The report pack stated that the SCI is a statutory document required by Section 18 of the Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004, and sets out the council's approach to community involvement in planning.

Dover Archaeological Supplementary Planning Document

The council was scheduled to discuss the consultation and adoption of the Dover Archaeological Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The report pack stated that the draft SPD builds upon and provides more detailed advice or guidance on Local Plan Policies SP15 (Protecting the District's Historic Environment) and HE3 (Archaeology). The SPD provides guidance on how to produce archaeological information and assessments when submitting applications.

Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document

The council was scheduled to discuss the consultation and adoption of the Affordable Housing Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). The report pack stated that the SPD builds upon and provides more detailed advice or guidance on Policies SP5 (Affordable Housing) and H2 (Local Rural Needs Housing) in the council's adopted Local Plan. The SPD sets out how delivery and mix of affordable housing must be considered early in the planning process so that the correct quantity and type of affordable homes that meet local needs are delivered, and will replace existing SPDs which are now considered out of date.

Infrastructure Funding Statement 2024/25

The council was scheduled to discuss agreeing to the publication of the Infrastructure Funding Statement (IFS) 2024/25. The report pack stated that the IFS must be published by the council under legal requirements laid down in the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Regulations. The published IFS and data spreadsheets will provide a full and open view of the council's developer obligations (section 106 contributions) which have been secured, held, spent and received by Dover District Council during the monitoring year.

Other Matters

The agenda also included discussion of:

• The purchase of a new 3G pitch⁴ and clubhouse at Wingfield Place in Deal for community use.
• Modifying bulky waste collection charges to reflect the increased operational costs of separately collecting 'Persistent Organic Pollutants'[^6] (POPs) contained in household bulky waste items.
• The adoption of Housing Revenue Account Compliance Policies.
• Amending public opening hours of Dover Museum, Bronze Age Boat Gallery, and the Visitor Information Centre, and approving a new CCTV project.
• Authorising expenditure of section 106 monies for the Aylesham Welfare Sports Hall expansion project.
• Approving an extension of the existing cleaning contract for communal areas in council-owned blocks of flats for one year.
• Authorising the lease of a new franking machine.
• Approving a contract for testing and monitoring of water safety at council properties.